POTATO IMPORTS SOUGHT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26987, 12 March 1953, Page 8

POTATO IMPORTS SOUGHT

SUPPLIES FOR NORTH ISLAND

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 11. Because of the possibility of a potato famine, the executive committee of the New Zealand Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants’ Federation has recommended to the Potato Board that 500 tons of Australian potatoes be imported into the North Island as soon as is practicable. This statement was made by the president of the federation (Mr P. J. Oakley) tonight.

“In the meantime,” said Mr Oakley, “we urge home gardeners to make as much use as possible of their own supplies in this difficult period. “There are two reasons for the potato shortage in the North Island,” he continued. “First, digging has not really commenced in the main crop areas of the South Island; and, second, some North Island growers seem reluctant to dig and give delivery to mechants. Though supplies have been coming from the South Island, most of the lines are immature, and we cannot expect large quantities until mid-April. But even then We fear that they will not last as long as usual, and that we will have to start importing later in the year. “The federation feels that while there are any New Zealand potatoes on the market a way should be left open for merchants merely to augment their supplies with imported potatoes.” Mr Oakley said the federation felt that the over-all supply situation was much better than it was at this time last year.